PRINCETON – The New Jersey Hospital Association this week unveiled its new online Healthcare Reform Resource Center at www.njha.com/Reform to help New Jersey residents without health insurance access new coverage options under the Affordable Care Act.

Open enrollment begins Oct. 1 for the new Health Insurance Marketplace. New Jersey has opted to partner with the federal Marketplace at www.Healthcare.gov to allow residents to sign up for one of several state-approved insurance packages. Spanish speakers can access the Marketplace at www.CuidadoDeSalud.gov.

“Enrollment success is a win-win for patients and healthcare providers alike, and NJHA urges members to join us in making sure more New Jerseyans get the insurance coverage they need,” said NJHA President and CEO Betsy Ryan.

NJHA’s Healthcare Reform Resource Center is a centralized hub for information, key dates and links to help New Jersey residents access the Marketplace. It also offers regulatory information, educational offerings and other tools for healthcare providers.

New Jersey is home to nearly 1 million individuals without health insurance, according to federal data from the U.S. Census and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Rutgers Center for State Health Policy estimates that as many as 362,000 New Jersey residents will gain insurance coverage by enrolling through the ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

By joining the insurance rolls, newly insured individuals will gain greater access to care, especially preventive services. All too often, those without health insurance are forced to seek care in hospital emergency rooms, increasing ER wait times and adding to the high costs of healthcare. The goal of expanding insurance coverage is to increase access to primary care, improve individuals’ health and reduce healthcare costs in the long run.